After Two-Month Hiatus, Roger Federer Loses to Tommy Haas

Tommy Haas, left, had not beaten Roger Federer since the 2012 final in Halle, Germany.CreditThomas Kienzle/Agence France-Presse — Getty Images

By The Associated Press

June 14, 2017

STUTTGART, Germany — Roger Federer was beaten in his return from a two-month break, losing, 2-6, 7-6 (8), 6-4, to Tommy Haas in the second round of the Stuttgart Open on Wednesday.

Haas, 39, who is playing his last season before retirement, saved nine of the 12 break points he faced and converted two of his three chances to deal Federer just his second defeat of the season.

“I’ve even shocked myself a bit,” said Haas, who is ranked 302nd and was given a wild card for the grass-court tournament. “I’m a bit speechless. It’s hard to find words.”

Haas, who had not beaten Federer since the 2012 final in Halle, Germany, improved to 4-13 against Federer, who had not played since winning the Miami Open in early April.

“If you don’t take your chances like I didn’t, leading a set and a break, you really only have yourself to blame at the end,” Federer said. “You’ve got to acknowledge the fact that he was a bit better. It’s quite frustrating, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.”

Federer, 35, skipped the clay-court season to recuperate from a busy start to the year that saw him capture his 18th Grand Slam at the Australian Open. He had a first-round bye at Stuttgart.

His only other loss this year came on March 1 to Evgeny Donskoy, ranked 116th at the time, in the round of 16 at the hardcourt tournament in Dubai.